Post-quantum cryptography
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic algorithms—specifically public-key primitives—designed to remain secure against the computational capabilities of a quantum-computing-enabled adversary.
Key Concepts
- Critical area of research and development aimed at mitigating Quantum Threats to existing Digital Security infrastructures.
- Focuses on protecting data even amidst the current hardware and scaling limitations of quantum-computing.
- Addresses the vulnerability of current Classical Cryptography standards to future quantum-scale attacks.
- Policy & Transition: Recent US Executive Orders mandate accelerated migration to PQC standards to counter the evolving threat of Q-Day (the hypothetical date when quantum computers can break current encryption).
- Strategic Urgency: The transition is critical not just for future-proofing, but for mitigating “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks where adversaries store encrypted data today to decrypt once quantum capabilities mature.
Resources
- Post-Quantum Cryptography: Addressing Quantum Computer Threats to Digital Security (Computerphile)
- Post-Quantum Cryptography Transition: US Executive Order and the Evolving Q-Day Threat (IBM Technology)
Source Notes
- 2026-04-17: [[lab-notes/2026-04-
- 2026-07-05: Post-Quantum Cryptography Transition: US Executive Order and the Evolving Q-Day Threat